California Proposition 52 (2002)
Encyclopedia
Proposition 52 was a California ballot proposition
on the November 5, 2002 ballot. It failed to pass with 2,808,240 (40.6%) votes in favor and 4,108,362 (59.4%) against. It would allow Election Day voter registration, removing the deadline to register to vote
, which was 15 days prior to an election. It was placed on the ballot through the initiative
process.
The question before voters was:
Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
California ballot proposition
In California, a ballot proposition is a proposed law that is submitted to the electorate for approval in a direct vote . It may take the form of a constitutional amendment or an ordinary statute. A ballot proposition may be proposed by the State Legislature or by a petition signed by members of...
on the November 5, 2002 ballot. It failed to pass with 2,808,240 (40.6%) votes in favor and 4,108,362 (59.4%) against. It would allow Election Day voter registration, removing the deadline to register to vote
Voter registration
Voter registration is the requirement in some democracies for citizens and residents to check in with some central registry specifically for the purpose of being allowed to vote in elections. An effort to get people to register is known as a voter registration drive.-Centralized/compulsory vs...
, which was 15 days prior to an election. It was placed on the ballot through the initiative
Initiative
In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote...
process.
The question before voters was:
- Should legally eligible California residents presenting proof of current residence be allowed to register to vote on Election Day?
Official summary
- Allows persons who are legally eligible to vote and have valid identification to register to vote on election day at their polling place.
- Increases criminal penalty for voter and voter registration fraud.
- Criminalizes conspiracy to commit voter fraud.
- Requires trained staff at polling places to manage election day registration, creates fund to implement measure, including training and providing personnel for election day registration.
- Allows persons to register or reregister during 28 days preceding election day at local election offices.
- Provides more time to county election officials to prepare voter registration lists.
Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
- Annual state costs of about $6 million to fund counties for election day voter registration activities, thereby resulting in no anticipated net county cost.
- Minor state administrative costs and unknown, but probably minor, state costs to enforce a new election fraud offense.